Institute of Economic Affairs unveils major new appointments


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The Institute of Economic Affairs, the UK’s leading free-market think tank, today announces the appointment of a new Director of Research as well as a new Chief Economist.

The IEA seeks to promote the role of markets in solving economic and social problems, aiming to change the climate of opinion over the long term. In 2016, the IEA released over thirty pieces of research, made more than 5,000 media appearances, widened its education outreach programme to thousands of young people and created a new digital team bolstering its presence across new media. These two new hires – taking the IEA team to over thirty employees – will be instrumental in maintaining and enhancing the Institute’s academic reputation in Westminster and beyond.

New appointments:

Dr Jamie Whyte

Jamie has been appointed Director of Research at the IEA. Jamie holds a Ph.D. from Cambridge University and is former leader of the ACT Party of New Zealand. He will take up his role in mid-April 2017. He takes over the position from Professor Philip Booth, who has taken up a role as Professor of Finance, Public Policy and Ethics at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. Professor Booth remains at the IEA for one day a week as an Academic Fellow.

Commenting on his appointment, Jamie Whyte said:

“I am honoured and excited to be joining the IEA as Director of Research. The new political uncertainties create an historic opportunity to promote free-market policies. And the reputation and talented staff of the IEA mean that no UK think tank is better positioned to take it.”

Julian Jessop

Julian becomes the IEA’s Chief Economist in a newly created role. He has thirty years of experience as a professional economist in the public and private sectors, having worked at HM Treasury and most recently as Chief Global Economist at the leading independent consultancy, Capital Economics. He will take up his role on 7th March 2017.

Commenting on his appointment, Julian Jessop said:

“I’m delighted to be joining the team at the IEA in their promotion of free market economics in public policy debates. In particular, I’m looking forward to working on the many challenges and opportunities presented by Brexit and making the thoughtful case for an open and thriving Britain outside the EU.”

In addition to the above confirmed appointments, the IEA will be recruiting further staff in its events and development teams.

Commenting on these appointments, Mark Littlewood, Director General, said:

“Both Jamie and Julian bring with them a huge array of talents to the IEA, and I’m delighted to welcome both of them to the team. Their experience straddles the worlds of finance, economics, philosophy, consultancy and politics, so I’m certain they will be invaluable to the IEA and for the free market movement in months and years to come. These key senior appointments strengthen our already fantastic team.”

Neil Record, Chairman of the IEA Board of Trustees, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Dr Jamie Whyte as our new Director of Research. Jamie is a distinguished academic, writer and thinker, and has promoted free-market ideals with great effect throughout his career. I am confident he will make a major contribution to the work of the IEA. I  am also very pleased to welcome Julian Jessop as our new Chief Economist. Julian joins us from Capital Economics, where he was Chief Global Economist.  Julian’s long experience as a professional economist will provide us with specialist expertise in this vital area.

“I am confident that these two exceptionally talented individuals will maintain and advance the reputation of the IEA, and I warmly welcome them.”

Notes to editors:
A full list of current IEA staff is available here.

For media enquiries please contact Stephanie Lis, Director of Communications: 020 7799 8909, [email protected]

Jamie Whyte has worked as a philosophy lecturer, a foreign currency trader and a management consultant. He was leader of the ACT Party of New Zealand in 2014, a position he resigned upon failing to win a seat in parliament in the general election. Jamie is the author of four books and has won several writing awards, including the Bastiat Prize for journalism. He has a Ph.D. from Cambridge University.

Julian Jessop has thirty years of experience as a professional economist in the public and private sectors, including senior positions at HM Treasury, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank. Prior to joining the IEA he was a Director and Chief Global Economist at the leading independent consultancy, Capital Economics. Julian has a First Class degree in economics from Cambridge University and post-graduate qualifications in both economics and law.

The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.

The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties



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